Baby showers bring together relatives and friends to celebrate a new addition to the family. During this time, all of the guests get to show their love and support for the newborn and their parents by bringing gifts.
Baby shower presents can range from personalized items to baby essentials. But how do you choose baby shower gifts for mum & the baby that’ll make them feel loved and special?
With the guide below, you’ll avoid the embarrassment of showing up with a gift that isn’t fitting for the occasion or the recipient.
Check The Registry
Before buying anything, find out if the parents took the time to create a baby registry. That list will let you know the wants and needs of the parents for their child, so it’ll be easier for you to decide on your purchase.
However, if you’re close to the parents, you can use the items they’ve enumerated as inspiration and get something a bit different that you know would still be appreciated.
Since most parents go for options with different price points, the registry will give you a chance to stay within your budget. That’s why it’s a good idea to refer to it prior to going shopping.
Get Personalized Gifts
If you’re still deciding what to buy for a baby shower, then personalized gifts are a perfect way to show the parents that you’ve placed a lot of thought into your present.
You can make these yourself or have them made before or after the baby is born.
They can be anything from custom night lights and desktop plaques to baby clothing and ornaments to commemorate the child’s birth.
You can also create a baby shower basket that’s sure to be unique. When getting personalized gifts, consider how much you can spend and how useful the item is.
Buy Practical Gifts
When making your purchase, take into account how long the baby will be able to use the present you have in mind. Most parents prefer functional gifts instead of options such as baby shoes that the infant will outgrow in a few months.
For instance, if the parents love participating in outdoor activities like hiking, you can get equipment such as a backpack that doubles as a baby carrier so they can accommodate their new family member.
As for the child, give them books or activity toys they can enjoy for a long time.
Consider The Child’s Gender
Ask the couple about the gender of the baby before committing to a particular color or design. Some parents prefer pink gifts for baby girls and blue gifts for baby boys.
However, if the parents don’t know the gender yet or don’t adhere to the idea of assigning colors to genders, opt for gender-neutral gifts.
Shop According To The Season
The season of the baby’s birth may influence your choices on the theme and design of your present. For example, you can get cute, lightweight onesies for kids born during the warmer season.
But for winter babies, warm clothes and blankets would be more suitable.
If the child was born around the holidays, you could buy an ornament with the baby’s name and date of birth on it. By doing so, you’ll be providing a keepsake that the parents can use time and time again.
Contribute To Big-Ticket Items
Most parents include pricey items such as car seats and cribs in their registry. While those items may be out of your budget, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the new parents’ wishes come true.
All you need to do is find several other guests and split the cost of such options among yourselves. That way, you’ll help the parents acquire essentials for their child and save money at the same time.
Spoil The Parents
Even though baby showers are more about welcoming the baby, the parents also need to be shown some love. Since taking care of a newborn means sleepless nights and busy days, parents can use all the help they can get.
If you’re feeling generous, you can pay for a month’s worth of cleaning that’ll give them time to adjust to and focus on the baby. Another similar idea is a meal delivery subscription so they can keep themselves healthy and reduce the number of chores they have to do on a daily basis.
Bottom Line
Getting the right gift for a baby shower can be challenging. However, if you keep the guidelines above in mind, you can find one that’s as nice as it is practical.
Be sure to check all the options available to you so you won’t go beyond your budget or end up with an item that the baby and the parents don’t need or want.
